The ultimate guide to your first week in a new job

13 Jun

A new job is always exciting, especially if it’s your first ever. You’ve made it through the interview stage and now it’s time to get to business! There’s a new group of people to meet, new tasks to master and new challenges to face. How can you make sure that first week goes off without a hitch? We’ve put together a guide to help prepare you for your first week and ensure you hit the ground running.

Prepare things you may need

Many tools will be provided on the job, but it’s always worth checking to see if there are things you need for your first few days to help make the onboarding process smooth. These could range from laptops and other tech (if the job specifies you need to bring them) to more common things like a notebook and pen, a packed lunch, a bottle of water and cash on hand. It’s also useful to bring your passport for admin purposes on your first day and any other qualifications or documents of proof that your employer may require.

Arrive early

There’s nothing more stressful than encountering traffic or facing commute problems on your first week of the job. This is your window of opportunity to make a memorable and positive impression on your colleagues and get settled in before the workday starts. Aim to arrive a little early if you can - it shows you are reliable, value the time of your colleagues and have a hard-working ethic. Aiming to arrive reasonably early (20-10 minutes) can also provide you leeway time in case you do run into any commuting issues.

Showcase your enthusiasm

A new job can be exhilarating, especially if this a field you’ve wanted to enter for a long time. One of the most important things hiring managers look for in candidates is a demonstration of enthusiasm for the role and the industry. As a new hire, you may not be expected to do a large amount of work in your first week. Instead, you can express your enthusiasm by acting as a sponge to absorb everything around you. During your induction process, set the right tone by actively listening to your mentors and taking notes which will help you retain this new information. Make the most of the opportunity to ask for more details about the company or expert insights from your manager. Your first week will see you have lots of training, so take advantage of it and try to absorb as much information as possible.

Be friendly

Be kind to everyone in the building, even those who may not be your immediate co-workers or managers. Be friendly and aim to integrate with your new colleagues – you’ll be spending a lot of time with them! If you are also required to work as part of a team, making a great impression now can be a huge help down the line. Take opportunities to build positive working relationships and even friendships, as these can lead to a higher productivity rate and a happier workplace experience.

Integrate with the company culture

Try to show your understanding of the company culture by demonstrating their values in your actions. You can do this from the outset by dressing in accordance with the company’s vibe. Analyse what your interviewers are wearing and, if you visit the office beforehand, what your colleagues are dressed in and aim to emulate the formality of it. If you have no clue at all, take a look at the company website or social media posts to get a sense of what their workplace culture is like. Safe bets include dressing in neutral colours such as black, white, brown and grey which have been shown to demonstrate a sense of professionalism. If in doubt, dress slightly more formally than you think you need to – it’s always better to be over-dressed than under-dressed.

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